Kochi: Rain, Rust, and Really Weird Fish
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm chai. the time difference is a monster. i landed in kochi yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a thing. it’s not bad, not great, just… intensely there. the air smells like salt and something vaguely metallic, like old *shipyards and maybe a forgotten curry.
my flight landed at 1271662, which i’m pretty sure is a random number, but it felt important to note. the airport itself was… compact. like, aggressively compact. and the humidity? 17%. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure was 1008, which is unsettling. it felt like being underwater without the water.
i’m staying in this little guesthouse near the harbor - it’s called ‘The Rusty Anchor’ which is, you know, accurate. the owner, a guy named joseph, keeps offering me pickled fish. i politely declined the first three times. he just shrugged and said, "keralan tradition." i’m starting to think i’ll be eating pickled fish for the rest of my trip.
i spent the afternoon wandering around Fort Kochi, which is basically a collection of crumbling walls and faded colonial buildings. it’s beautiful in a melancholic way. i stumbled across a spice market - the colors were insane. turmeric, cardamom, cloves… it was a sensory overload. i bought a ridiculous amount of pepper and some dried mango. i’m pretty sure i’m going to be breathing pepper for the next week.
someone told me that the Chinese fishing nets are a must-see, and they weren’t kidding. they’re these massive, intricate nets that are pulled up by ropes - it’s a seriously impressive sight. i watched a group of guys operating them, and it looked incredibly hard work. i tried to take a photo, but my phone died. classic.
i overheard gossip at a little cafe - it was a place called ‘The Wandering Spoon’ - that the best seafood is at a place called ‘Captain’s Catch’ down by the docks. i’m going to check that out tomorrow. i heard they serve a fish called ‘seer’ that’s like, the king of fish.
i’m trying to capture the vibe of this place with my camera, but it’s proving difficult. everything feels a little… weathered. like it’s seen a lot. i’m aiming for a gritty, authentic feel, but i’m mostly getting blurry photos of rain and rusty metal.
i’m also trying to find some good coffee. seriously, the coffee here is… an experience. it’s strong, it’s dark, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. i found a place called ‘Brew & Bloom’ - it’s tucked away on a side street and the barista was super friendly. i’m pretty sure he judged my terrible photography skills.
if you get bored, [Kochi] are just a short drive away. there’s a whole other side to this place, apparently. i’m planning on exploring it tomorrow.
Pro-Tip: Don’t wear white. Seriously. Everything stains. And pack a rain jacket. It rains a lot.
Another Pro-Tip: Learn a few basic Malayalam phrases. It’ll go a long way.
Local Warning:* Be wary of overly friendly strangers offering you ‘fresh’ fruit. It might not be so fresh.
I’m going to try and catch some sleep before my next adventure. i’m thinking i’ll check out TripAdvisor for some more recommendations. TripAdvisor Kochi and Yelp for some local eats. Yelp Kochi.
Seriously, this place is weird. in a good way, i think.
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